SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After a memorable comeback Saturday to reach the CIF Division Championship, the St. Francis Troubadours could not repeat the feat Thursday, falling 64-51 to Brea Olinda in their quest for the second state championship in school history.

“The class and grace that they have shown in winning was also evident in defeat,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “They are the epitome of what high school athletics in all about.”

St. Francis (29-6), who had not reached the state final since the school won the Division III title in 1993, fell behind early 8-0 but managed to keep the game close in the first quarter. They trailed just 14-8 after eight minutes as both teams got off to slow starts.

Brea Olinda took control of the game in the second as the Troubies managed just four points in the second quarter. Brea Olinda, the 10th-ranked team in the country according to MaxPreps, extended their lead to 31-12 as SF shot just 17 percent, made 1-of-10 from beyond arc and had 11 turnovers.

“We were unable to get in transition,” said Pitton. “They took away our first and second options on offense and we got impatient when they were not there.”

The team settled down in the second half, bettering their first half total with 14 points in the third but still trailed by 22 points entering the final period. The Wildcats reached their biggest lead with the first basket in the fourth to extend it to 24 points.

“In the second half we made some adjustments and took advantage of some mismatches,” said Pitton. “But it was a big hole to overcome against a good team.”

The Troubadours failed to give up, outscoring Brea Olinda in the fourth quarter 25-14 and cut the deficit to as few as 11 before giving up a late bucket. Senior Tia Hay led the team with 16 points, while Lauren Craig added a team-best 13 boards and nine points. Sophomore Marlee Nicolos added 10 off the bench.

Senior Reili Richardson, who signed to play at Arizona State, had a game-high 26 for the Brea Olinda WIldcats.

“It was energizing,” said Pitton of coaching this team to the state finals. “The character that they had, the youthfulness they showed throughout the season and the joy they exhibited for each other and the competition was rewarding to me and made it all worth-while.”

Pitton will say good bye to five seniors who played large roles in the success of the program not only in 2015-16 but over the last four years, including Lauren Craig, Tia Hay, Kyra Huffman, Angie Ortiz and Aliyah Williams.

“We are going to miss them,” said Pitton. “They carried a big load this season on and off the court with the examples they set. They are five outstanding young ladies who not only play great basketball but our outstanding people off the court and in the classroom.”

BO – Richardson 26, Watkins 22, Marsh 12, Jarrett 4. SF – Hay 16, Nicolos 10, Craig 9, Huffman 7, Razo 7, Koerwitz 2.